Cargowaggon twins IZA

Revolution Trains will have our newly arrived N-gauge KFA container flats – including a previously unannounced version – plus a small number of our previously supplied, and largely sold out, models in 00 and N available to buy at the NEC.

Revolution Trains is on stand C41 (for a map see further down the news page) but we should be easy to find – just look for Rapido’s full sized bus!

These are a combination of cancellations/returns we have had and stock found by Rapido in their warehouse.

Our long-awaited KFA container flats will be available for pre-order customers to collect – if you let us know by 12pm on 22/11 before the show – plus a limited number will be available to buy in the latest Touax-branded version of the livery.

These repaints only started after the project started, which is why they were not offered in the original selection.

Revolution Touax KFA

In N gauge we will have a small number of Pendolinos (nearly all DC but a couple with DCC Sound), IZA Cargowaggon vans, KFA container flats, Sonic VEA vans, 40′ hi-cubes in ONE pink and Hapag Lloyd orange, and our new 30′ bulk-tainers produced with C-Rail.

00 modellers who missed out on our award-winning TEA tankers may get lucky – we have a very small number of each livery available including EWS – as well as our recent MMA/JNA wagons in DB Red, Ermewa grey, Ermewa Tarmac grey and VTG steel blue.

Four models delivered, three new manufacturers identified and two new powered models offered has made for one amazing year!

As ever we should acknowledge that we could not do any of this without those who have supported us – with time, with expertise, with generosity but most of all with orders. It is only because modellers are prepared to pre-order on trust that we can make all this happen.

And we’d like to say thanks to Rapido Trains for their amazing work, our new manufacturing partner Sonic Models, two other factories we have been using and those traders who’ve supported us including C&M, Cheltenham Model Centre, Collett’s Models, Kernow Model Rail Centre, Plus Daughters, Rails of Sheffield, Osborn’s and Trains4U.

In February our first model aimed at transition era enthusiasts – the Class B tanker – arrived. The wagon had struggled to generate enough interest and came close to being cancelled, but when we saw the quality the factory had achieved we were delighted it had made it – and judging from the comments from so were those who’d supported the project!

Recently we were sent a photo by Ian at Mercig studios of a superb Esso class B he’d weathered. In the accompanying note he wrote: “..this is the best N Gauge wagon I’ve ever worked on!”

Esso Class B weathered by Mercig Studio

Then, in March, the main event – the arrival of the Pendolinos.

This was the culmination of the dream that we and our supporters had bought into back in 2015 when we began the project – and boy did Rapido Trains deliver. Everything about these models was stunning – from the trains themselves to the manual and the book-case packaging.

Pallets full of Pendos…

But we had little time to admire the models when there were hundreds of fellow modellers waiting for them – and we’d like to thank our friends Paul Churchill and Gareth Atkinson who came up that first weekend and helped pick, pack and post the first hundred and fifty or so. We also owe a large debt of gratitude to Allen Pearson – inventor of the amazing Nelevation vertical fiddle yard – for kindly allowing us to use his storage unit to keep the Pendos safe.

At the York show some customers were able to collect their Pendolinos (thanks Abbie) but the majority were posted. This was a massive task, especially as the majority of the work was done just by the two of us in our spare time. They were dispatched as best we could in chronological order of purchase and we would like to thank all our supporters for their patience waiting for their models.

However, seeing an 11-car set tackling the graceful, sweeping curves of Heworth Sidings, by the Yorkshire Area Group of the N Gauge Society, made it all worthwhile!

Poppy Pendo on Heworth Sidings at the York show

Even as we celebrated the success of the Pendolinos the IZA Cargowaggon twins were en route and they arrived just in time for The International N Gauge Show at Leamington – arguably the premier show of the N Gauge year.

Revolution IZA Cargowaggons in single and triple packs

At just over a year from announcement to delivery these were our fastest model yet. With the innovative factory-fitted flashing tail lamp option they have proved hugely popular and prompted Kernow to join us in offering a 4mm version which is currently under development.

4mm IZA CAD

It did mean that our planned TINGS display was slightly obscured by the piles of wagons being collected by customers, but we were able to show painted samples of another new model; the VEA munitions van, which is our first non-crowdfunded model and is being produced in association with Sonic models.

Sonic/Revolution VEA vans – painted samples.

The man behind Sonic is a former Kader engineer who designed some of Graham Farish’s best N gauge models, and this is the first time a Chinese manufacturer has sought to market their own brand British outline models directly in the UK.

We also offered three new models including a second powered model – the Class 128 Parcels diesel railcar in N. The other two were both wagons: the IPA car carrying twin flats – in plain, side-staked and covered versions, and the Cemflo cement wagon in association with Accurascale, the Dublin based manufacturer making a big splash in 00. Both of these are now at the CAD stage, but we have not yet opened the order books.

M55990 at Manchester Victoria. Photo courtesy Mark Carter.

IPA CAD image – this is the flat version with stakes.

Cemflo CAD courtesy Accurascale.

By the middle of November we were preparing for the arrival of our first 00 models, the TEA tankers by Rapido Trains, and once again we prevailed on our friend Allen as five large pallets were airfreighted in.

Their arrival just in time for the Warley National Model Railway show at the NEC meant that as well as supplying those ordered by Kernow models and Trains4U once again we had to enlist help once again from our friends Paul, Gareth and Abbie to hand out those that customers had arranged to collect.

Kernow Model Rail Centre’s Chris Trerise with a small fraction of his TEAs!

The remainder are being sent out by us but twice the scale means eight times the volume, and the sheer size of the 00 models in comparison to the N gauge products we are used to has meant new packaging solutions and dispatching all the models has taken much longer.

Those who visited us at Warley may remember that we were right next to a double decker bus brought in by our friends at Rapido Trains to publicise their latest new model – this gave us an excellent location for a meeting where we were able to examine the final version of the Class 92 locomotive ahead of production and confirm production of another run of Class 390 Pendolinos in Virgin’s latest “flowing silk” livery, as we as more TEAs in N. These will be available to pre-order early in the new year.

Class 92 final test sample by Rapido Trains.

At Warley were were also able to unveil our first steam locomotive – the GWR 56XX in N produced with Sonic models – along with the latest CADs for the HOA hopper and an all-new 4mm model – the MMA/JNA box wagon. These are again not crowdfunded but being produced after we were approached by an investor. We are offering three variants in DB red and Ermewa and Tarmac grey liveries, while models in VTG/Mendip Rail silver and GBRf blue will be available exclusively from Kernow.

Handpainted sample of MMA wagon in DB red.

First CAD of 56XX steam locomotive.

We also took delivery of the 20′ Tank Containers in N that we produced in conjunction with C-Rail. These, along with the 40′ hi-cube containers last year, have been very well received and we will be producing another new RTR container next year. This came, coincidentally, shortly before we closed the order book for the KFA container flats accompanying them which are in production now.

To conclude, here is a quick reference progress chart summarising 2018. We anticipate that the next models to be delivered will be the 00 MMA/JNA, N KFA and N 92.

Amazingly, 2019 will mark Revolution’s 5th anniversary (we can’t believe it either!) and we are looking forward to next year being our biggest and best year yet! But as ever, we couldn’t do any of this without our fellow enthusiasts, so once again we’d like to thank you for your support.

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As many of you will have noticed our Cargowaggon twins arrived in the nick of time on Friday 7 September – just as the doors were closing on setup for TINGS. This allowed us to hand out orders to customers at the show and save time picking/packing/posting on the rest of the orders.

We’ve got a few bits of admin to complete before we can start sending out the rest of the orders – namely closing off all the orders collected at TINGS and refunding any P&P due so that we don’t send out duplicates.

Then we will send out orders in the following order (in date order of when the order was placed):

Orders paid in full;

Balance invoices, which we will send to you and then despatch in order of when balance received.

NB based on previous experience it will take us a few weeks to process all the orders in our spare time so please bear with us.

If you like the look of the wagons but didn’t place an order then all the retailers listed on our website should have received their order by early next week (w/b 17/09/18).

Cargowaggon Coupler Conundrum

Some customers have reported that when coupling their new IZA twins together for the first time, in a small number of occasions the coupler pocket cover inside the wagon comes loose, meaning the socket can be pushed out of its housing and up into the wagon body.

At the factory both halves of the wagon were fitted with inner couplers. This ensures customers have a spare, and also “loosens” the coupler pocket, but obviously on one car needs to be removed before the twin can be joined up.

To avoid any possibility of the socket becoming dislodged you may wish to remove the bodies of both wagons before coupling. This is very simple as they just pull off with gentle pressure.

Then the coupler pocket covers can be held firmly in place with a fingertip as the model is clicked together.

If the cover does come loose, replacing the wire spring and putting the coupler pocket back in place – maybe with a tiny amount of adhesive – is straightforward. Even if the spring is lost and the coupler will not automatically self-centre it will still function.

Because of their long wheelbase, the models will drag a little around curves less than 12″ radius. If your locomotives are having trouble you may wish to remove the weights inside, which can be simply unscrewed.

It’s been a tiring but rewarding weekend at The International N Gauge Show at Leamington.

As many will know our IZA Cargowaggon twin vans arrived with seconds to spare on Friday evening, meaning that our normally tidy stand became a scene of model mayhem – at least for the first few hours – with a combination of those keen to see our new offerings and those who’d come to collect their wagons.

Fortunately on both Saturday and Sunday things calmed down a little after lunch and we were able to see something of the show.

Cargowaggon vans waiting to be unloaded in the yard on Annston, a wonderfully atmospheric layout depicting a secondary line in the Midlands.

Most rewarding was seeing our Pendolinos, TEA tankers, Class B tankers and now Cargowaggon vans giving pleasure on so many of the layouts.

Back on the Revolution stand many came to see the factory painted samples of the new VEA vans. Once we have received and checked painted samples of all the variations in BR Maroon, BR Railfreight Red/Grey and RfD dark grey and yellow these models will go into production, and are expected by Q1 2019.

VEA van in the colour officially known as BR Maroon that really looks like brown.

The door handles are stamped metal to make them the correct profile, rather than the usual wire.

Many visitors commented on the exquisite underframe detail – such a distinctive feature of the prototype.

Those who were not admiring the VEAs or collecting Cargowaggons came to pick up our first “catalogue” – or rather, 4-page leaflet – showing all our plans for the next few months.

Below are all four pages so those who did not attend the show can see what we are offering:

P1

P2

P3

P4

In terms of timings, we are expecting to close the order book for the KFA container flats at the end of this month, and the Class 92s probably 4-6 weeks later.

We’ll most likely open the order book for the Sturgeon and HOA in a couple of weeks or so, followed by the Class 128, Cemflo and IPA toward the end of the year.

As well as offering what we hope our fellow enthusiasts will want, we are also trying to stagger our products to give supporters a chance to budget!

The Class 320/321 is expected to go to tooling very soon. Unfortunately Rapido trains are no longer able to produce this model for us, so we have decided to switch production to another manufacturer. Although we are sad Rapido will no longer be involved we would like to publicly thank them for their superb work so far which will help to ensure the finished model is of high quality.

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With literally moments to spare before set up time closed, our IZA Cargowaggon twin vans were delivered to us at the Warwickshire Event Centre ahead of tomorrow’s N Gauge International Show 2018.

Cargo of Cargowaggons!

The models left China before last weekend, but a strike in Shenzhen coupled with a mistaken delivery destination made it a far closer run thing that we expected. Thanks to TNT for hiring a dedicated van to get the model to us

If you emailed us before the deadline you don’t need to bring anything to collect your wagons, if you didn’t please print and bring your order confirmation and you can still pick up your models.

For those who’ve ordered the vans with flashing tail lamps please note that airfreight regulations mean that the wagons could not be carried with the batteries installed, so these will be supplied separately but fitting is simple:

Fitting the batteries to your IZA twin.

Tomorrow morning we will be unveiling our new series of proposals – you can read about them on the N Gauge Forum from 0900 or in greater detail here from 1100, when we will be posting a series of news items.

The stand is ready, we look forward to welcoming our many customers and friends at stand 16 at the show.

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Kernow Model Rail Centre is teaming up with Revolution Trains to offer the long-lived Cargowaggon “twin” ferryvans in 4mm scale/00 gauge. This is in response to the large numbers of 4mm enthusiasts requesting this model following development of its N gauge counterpart, and represents the first fully joint venture between Revolution Trains and a major retailer.

As ever the models will feature high levels of detail and a version will be offered with a battery-operated flashing red tail lamp.

Chris Trerise, of Kernow Model Rail Centre, said: “Over the years Kernow has forged a reputation for listening to modellers and offering what they want – from the Beattie Well Tank to the iconic Bulleid diesel. Revolution Trains has been doing something similar in N, so teaming up seemed like a logical step. As these wagons have been much used in Cornwall for transporting both bagged clay and electrical components, they fit in nicely with our existing items.”

Mike Hale of Revolution Trains said: “In some ways it is surprising this wagon has not been offered in 00 before as it has been so widespread in service and lasted so long. We are looking forward to working with Kernow on this and other projects in the future,” he added.

Ben Ando from Revolution Trains said: “These wagons are suitable for the BR Blue period right through sectorisation to the post-privatisation era, and whether in a block train or in ones or twos we believe they will be a great addition to the wagon roster for many Kernow customers.”

The models will feature NEM couplers on kinematic mounts, RP25 profile wheels and high levels of detail including separately fitted brake parts and handrails.

They feature large full height sliding doors, to allow easy access for loading, and are cleared for British, Continental and Channel Tunnel use. The first 100 were built in 1986, with further builds of 50 each in 1989 and 1991 and
nearly the entire fleet remains in service. Due to their flexibility the wagons have been used to carry mineral water, newsprint, bagged clay or cement, whisky, cider, petfood and numerous other goods to and from destinations as widespread as Cornwall, the Highlands, North and South Wales and destinations in Southern France and Germany.

They can operate in blocks, or in smaller numbers in mixed “Enterprise” trains. The wagons were delivered in unpainted aluminium with mid-blue solebars and ends. Most carry the words “Cargo Waggon” across the pair, in blue on a yellow background, though three received “Perrier” branding which they still carry today.

Cargowaggon was later absorbed into GE Rail Services, which has since been acquired by Touax, and the models are being produced with the co-operation of Touax and will be manufactured in China.

The models

Photo shows N gauge model prototype

The models will be produced in the following liveries:
Original Cargowaggon without tail lamp (4 running numbers) – £99.99 each
Original Cargowaggon with tail lamp (1 running number) – £104.99 each
Revised Cargowaggon with yellow lashing loops and warning signs without tail lamp (4 running numbers) – £99.99 each
Revised Cargowaggon with yellow lashing loops and warning signs with tail lamp (1 running number) – £104.99 each

The above prices will apply once the models are delivered. A discount of £10 per model is applied when paying in advance. A further discount is available if buying a pack of 4 wagons.

CAD work is complete and the model is expected go into production in mid 2019.

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The deadline for ordering our IZA Cargowaggons in N is Friday May 11th.

Once the deadline has passed we will close the order book and the models will go into production, with delivery expected in July-August.

As ever, we will only produce models to order, so if you’re interested please don’t miss out. With our TEA tankers, and even more with our recently arrived Pendolino models, we have had many emails from those who forgot the deadline so we strongly recommend ordering now!

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Revolution Trains has received painted samples of two versions of our forthcoming IZA Cargowaggon twins in N.

These are original and revised Cargowaggon:

The ends include separately fitted locking bars and strengthening ribs, to allow daylight to show through the distinctive holes in the A-frame, along with fine wire handrails and photo-etched corner footsteps.

These samples also have a tail lamp fitted, though it should be white, not black:

Now we are comparing them to our livery diagrams and photographs to spot any discrepancies or errors before approving them for production.

They will also be test-run to ensure the coupler mechanisms work as they should and that performance is acceptable.

Please note that the wheels are the correct size and profile but will be chemically blackened on the production models.

Although there are a couple of very small niggles (such as the black tail lamp) we anticipate that these models will be ready for production once Chinese New Year is over, and we anticipate closing the order book within the next 2 months.

If you are interested in these fine models please order soon so as not to miss the order deadline.

It was a busy show at Warley for Revolution, and for our main manufacturing partner Rapido Trains, who were showing off several new models both for themselves and other customers.

However, with the Pendolino poised for delivery, and other models set to follow in turn, Rapido did tell us that for the next 12 months at least they anticipate that they will have a Revolution Trains item in production at all times at one of their two factories.

The rough schedule for 2018 is the 00 TEA tankers (spring), N KFA (early summer), N 92 (late summer) and N HOA hopper (late autumn) though of course this is subject to change. The Class 321 unit will follow on from the HOA if it reaches minimum order numbers.

IZA Cargowaggon twin van

Announced in June at the DEMU Showcase exhibition, the arrival of first tooled samples of the IZA Cargowaggon twin vans just five months later is something of a record for Revolution Trains.

This has come about because of the large number of orders we have already received – so thanks to everyone who has stepped forward to make this happen.

These models feature standard N gauge couplers on each end and a representation of the prototype’s screw coupling in the centre. The use of kinematic coupler pockets means the vehicles can be authentically close coupled without bufferlock or derailments on trainset curves.

The prototypes have the brake gear split across the wagons and cannot be operated individually. This was to take advantage of European grants available when they were manufactured in the mid 1980s. Naturally the Revolution model depicts these differences, with both air tanks on one wagon, and the hanbrakes on the other:

The model also features protypical differences in the ends, with single dumb buffers on the inner faces, and the frames are separate parts to allow the distinctive circular cut outs to be present:

These mouldings will now be checked and assessed, and any minor amendments made, before livery samples are prepared.

Please note that these models are assembled or test purposes from mouldings only, an do not feature the fine wire handrails at the ends and the springing in the couplers, which will be self-centering on production models.

For those who handled them at Warley they will also be weighted, as with all our models, to NMRA standards.

We expect them to go into production February – March 2018, with the order book closing shortly beforehand.

HOA stone hopper

We had not expected to show any progress on these models at Warley, but Rapido surprised us by bringing two 3D prints produced from the recently approved CAD drawings.

These show both variants – the original EWS Construction type at the rear, with the body-mounted handbrakewheel and four strengthening plates on the sides, and the new built VTG versions with bogie mounted handbrakewheels and six plates.

Being 3D prints they are a little rough in parts, and lack the finesse and structural strength of plastic moulded parts (so some of the thinner components are slightly deformed) but they indicate to us that the design looks good, sits well and that the bogies and couplers being reused from our TEA tankers look right.

VTG new build version

EWS construction original type

These models are expected to go into production after the Class 92s scheduled for next summer.

We will be opening the order book shortly, and as ever would urge our supporters to order early as this generates the funding to complete the tooling and development work all the quicker.

KFA container flat

These models are undergoing final running tests in Canada and are ready to go into production in late February – March 2018.

Livery drawings are being worked on at the moment, but for these wagons the painting and lettering is far more straightforward than for the Pendolino or TEA tankers.

Class 320/321 EMU

CAD drawings of this model are now complete and if the orders had been satisfactory this model would now be in tooling. However, orders have not matched the expressions of interest we received when we first proposed this model. This is a pity as we are sure, given the quality of the models from Rapido so far and the CAD drawings they have sent us, that they’ll make a superb job of this train.

Class 321 DTCO

Class 320/321 DTSO

The model will have full interior detail and provision for the fitting of lightbars, along with numerous separate parts on the underframes of the trailer cars.

Class 321 DTCO interior

The power chassis mechanism is also hidden below window height, and this model will feature a Next 18 decoder meaning that sound options are more straightforward.

Class 320/321 PMSO interior showing chassis arrangement and decoder

For smoother running power will be collected from all wheels, as on our Pendolino, and all bogies, including those on the power car, will feature low drag axle-point pick ups.

Class 320/321 power bogie with outer mouldings removed to show pick-ups

We’d like to thank all those who’ve ordered extra sets in an effort to “help it over the line” but we really need to get the message to those who said they want one but haven’t yet ordered.

Revolution takes each model as a separate project, and we need to impress upon supporters that while we have enjoyed considerable success with “big ticket” models such as the Pendolino and Class 92, they should not assume that models will automatically happen.

We need people to step forward and order the models they want!

Suburban commuter EMUs may not have the cachet of the Pendolino, but they are an important part of the current scene and to model a complete railway we need the humdrum as well as the glamorous.

Also, the drivetrain, chassis and bogies from the 321 will lead us to a number of other useful models should it reach production.

We do understand that funds are sometimes limited, which is why we have introduced a staggered payment plan, and that some customers may be waiting for their Pendolinos before committing, so we are we will make a final decision on the 320 / 321 based on orders at 31 March 2018. If by then we have reached the minimum order numbers needed then we’ll go ahead; if not then we will reluctantly have to refund everyone who has put money into this model.

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Revolution Trains has received the first CAD files for the forthcoming Cargowaggon Twin vans.

These are first drafts and some details remain to be added.

Some corrections are required too. The CADs show parking brake wheels on both cars, when in fact they are on one only. Also there are some details still to be added such as the document clip, a horizontal handrail on the end, some rivet detail and the circular holes in the angled end uprights.

Since the vehicles are permanently coupled the inter car connector is a solid bar.

With the chassis removed the body mounted NEM coupler can be seen, while with the body off it can be seen that each vehicle will have a chunky steel weight to take it to NMRA standards, as also specified for our TEA tankers.

Once these alterations have been made we will post revised CAD images. So far the take up on these models has been excellent and we are hoping to be able to commence tooling reasonably soon, with samples potentially here by the Warley National Model Railway Exhibtion at the NEC in November which we will be attending.

We have had numerous emails asking us about whether we would offer these wagons in 00 and this is being given consideration.